To change employer in Oman, a non-Omani employee must complete a formal labour transfer and an immigration sponsor change. A new job offer or resignation alone does not move the employee to the new employer.
The new employer starts the Ministry of Labour request. The old employer then receives the request and can approve or reject it. After Ministry steps are complete, the Royal Oman Police process changes the employer or sponsor on the immigration record.
This guide explains the normal permanent transfer between private-sector employers. Special cases may need a labour complaint, court decision, visa cancellation or a new visa route.
Transfer logic
New employer has a suitable work permit → new employer sends the Ministry request → old employer approves or rejects → old dues and fines are cleared → new employer pays the OMR 5 transfer fee → ROP confirmation is received → sponsor and residence records are updated.
Do not let the employee start work for the new employer before the official steps are complete.
After checking the formal sequence, a company can use Ministry of Labour coordination support when its work permit, Omanisation position or labour file needs review.
Changing employer in Oman at a glance
| Point | Current position |
|---|---|
| Who starts the transfer? | The new employer, its authorised signatory or its representative. |
| Main worker details | Civil number and date of birth. |
| Main employer requirement | A suitable vacant work permit for the worker. |
| Old employer role | The old employer receives the request and approves or rejects it. |
| Ministry transfer fee | OMR 5, paid by the new employer after approval. |
| ROP sponsor-change fee | OMR 20. |
| New contract registration | The new employer registers the contract and the employee reviews and signs it. |
| Can work start during the request? | No. A pending request or offer letter does not authorise work for the new employer. |
| Guaranteed completion time | No fixed end-to-end time is published for every case. |
When an employment transfer may be possible
The normal electronic route may be used when the worker is active in the labour system and the new employer has a vacant work permit. The permit must fit the worker and the planned job.
- The new employer has an active labour file.
- The new employer has a suitable work permit.
- The official profession is allowed for a non-Omani worker.
- The worker’s civil number, date of birth and passport details are correct.
- The old employer can review the electronic request.
- Any required medical or professional approval can be completed.
- The worker has not started work for the new employer before approval.
Important: The Ministry of Labour establishment page says no documents are needed for the normal electronic request. The Gov.om summary page also lists a court ruling of non-objection and civil powers of attorney. These items may apply to a special case or a representative. Check the live service before submission.
When the normal transfer route may not work
- The new employer has no suitable vacant work permit.
- The worker is no longer active in the labour system.
- The old visa or work record was already cancelled.
- The old employer rejects the normal electronic request.
- The profession is restricted or does not fit the company activity.
- The new employer’s labour file has a block or an unresolved issue.
- The worker’s identity data does not match the government records.
- A labour dispute, court case or desertion report needs a separate route.
The old employer stage
The employee and old employer should first agree how the current job will end. This may be resignation, termination or a mutual agreement. The final working date should be clear.
When the new employer sends the transfer request, the Ministry system sends it to the old employer. The old employer signs in with PKI and reviews the worker and transfer details.
The old employer can approve or reject the request. During approval, the old employer must pay any fees or fines shown in the system.
The transfer does not close private money issues by itself. The parties should record unpaid salary, leave pay, end-of-service rights, notice pay, company property and the final working date.
The new employer stage
The new employer should check its labour file before making a final promise to the employee. It should confirm the permit, profession, company activity and Omanisation position.
- The authorised person signs in to the Ministry of Labour service.
- The new employer selects the service to transfer a non-Omani worker.
- The worker’s civil number and date of birth are entered.
- The new employer selects the work permit for the worker.
- The request goes to the old employer.
- After approval, the new employer pays the OMR 5 transfer fee.
- The Ministry waits for electronic confirmation from the Royal Oman Police.
- After confirmation, the worker moves to the new employer’s labour file.
The new contract and labour record
The new employer must prepare a contract that matches the real job. The profession, salary, allowances, work hours, contract period and notice terms should be correct.
The employer registers the contract in the Ministry system. The employee then reviews, signs, accepts or rejects it. The current published contract registration fee is OMR 1.
The separate guide to registering the new employment contract explains this electronic step in more detail.
A resignation request, transfer request and new contract are different records. Completing one record does not always complete the others.
The visa and residence stage
The Ministry transfer must be completed before the Royal Oman Police sponsor-change service. The ROP service currently asks for a copy of the passport and a personal photo. The passport must be valid.
The current ROP fee for changing the employer or sponsor is OMR 20. The employer and employee should then check the sponsor name, profession and residence record.
A medical fitness step may also apply. Current official worker medical fees are OMR 30 for a non-food worker and OMR 40 for a food worker. The medical form is valid for 30 days.
Where the immigration record needs extra follow-up, the parties may use employee visa coordination in Oman.
Resignation, transfer, visa cancellation and a new visa
| Action | What it does | What it does not do |
|---|---|---|
| Resignation | Ends or starts the end of the current employment relationship. | It does not move the worker to a new employer by itself. |
| Labour transfer | Moves the worker’s labour record to the new employer through the Ministry process. | It does not replace the ROP sponsor-change stage. |
| Visa cancellation | Closes the old employment visa or residence position. | It is not the same as an in-country labour transfer. |
| New employment visa | Creates a separate new employment immigration route. | It should not be used as a simple name for every transfer case. |
If the old visa has already been cancelled, or the worker is no longer active in the labour system, the ordinary transfer route may not be available. The parties may need the new employment visa process.
Before cancellation: Check whether the worker can use the transfer route. Early cancellation can change the case and create new visa steps.
Common problems when changing employer
The new employer has no suitable permit
The job is offered before the employer checks its vacant permit and labour position.
The old employer rejects or ignores the request
The normal electronic path cannot finish while the request is rejected or left without action. A complaint, resignation, termination or court route may need separate review.
The profession does not fit
The selected profession is restricted, unavailable or not suitable for the company activity.
The employee starts work too early
An offer letter and pending request do not allow the employee to work for the new employer.
Old salary claims are not settled
The labour transfer is completed, but unpaid salary, leave pay or notice claims remain open.
The immigration stage is not checked
The Ministry transfer is complete, but the ROP sponsor or residence record is not updated or checked.
Change-employer checklist
Old employer
- Confirm the final working date.
- Record resignation, termination or agreement.
- Check salary and final payments.
- Review the electronic request.
- Clear fees or fines shown in the system.
- Approve or reject the request.
New employer
- Check the labour file and Omanisation position.
- Choose a suitable work permit.
- Check the profession and company activity.
- Send the Ministry request.
- Pay the transfer fee after approval.
- Complete contract and ROP steps.
Employee
- Check the new employer and job.
- Keep passport, card and contract copies.
- Check final salary and other rights.
- Do not start work while the request is pending.
- Review and sign the new contract.
- Check sponsor and residence details at the end.
Frequently asked questions
Who starts the transfer request?
The new employer, authorised signatory or establishment representative starts it.
Does the old employer take part?
Yes. The normal electronic request goes to the old employer for approval or rejection.
Is a paper NOC always required?
The current Ministry establishment page lists no documents for the normal electronic request. The old employer still has an electronic approval role. Some special cases may need a court document or power of attorney.
Can resignation complete the transfer?
No. Resignation deals with the old job. The labour transfer, new contract and sponsor change are separate steps.
Can the employee work during the transfer?
The employee should not work for the new employer until the official labour and immigration steps are complete.
What are the main government fees?
The current published fees are OMR 5 for the Ministry transfer and OMR 20 for the ROP sponsor change. Medical and contract fees may also apply.
How long does the process take?
There is no single guaranteed time for every case. Timing depends on the permit, old employer response, fees, medical steps, ROP confirmation and record updates.
What if the old employer rejects the request?
The normal cooperative route cannot finish through the same request. The parties should review the contract, resignation, termination, complaint or court route for that case.
Can the worker move to a different profession?
Only when the new employer has a suitable permit and the profession is legally available. A data change or professional approval may also be needed.
Related Oman Verified guides and services
EMPLOYER SUPPORT
employment transfer support in Oman
Review work permits, Omanisation and labour-file problems before submission.
VISA AND RESIDENCE
Oman residency application support
Review immigration records and the ROP stage after the labour transfer.
NEW CONTRACT
registering the new employment contract
See how the employer registers the contract and the employee accepts it.
NEW VISA ROUTE
the new employment visa process
Use this guide when an in-country transfer is not the correct route.
Conclusion
To change employer in Oman, the employee needs more than a resignation or new offer. The new employer must have a suitable permit and start the Ministry request. The old employer has an approval role. The contract, ROP sponsor change and final records must also be completed.
Check the transfer route before cancelling the old visa. A cancellation can change the case and may require a separate new visa process.
Visa and residency coordination
Oman Verified is operated by Pro Mandate Verified SPC, Commercial Registration 1647003, and supports international clients with Oman-side preparation, coordination and follow-up. Employer transfers, work permits, labour-dispute decisions and immigration sponsorship changes are completed through the relevant labour and immigration authorities and institutional processes, while Oman Verified coordinates the client-side preparation and follow-up.
Official sources
- Ministry of Labour: Transfer Non-Omani Workers’ Services for Establishments
- Gov.om: Transfer Non-Omani Workers Services
- Gov.om: Change the Employer (Sponsor)
- Ministry of Labour: Register a Non-Omani Employment Contract
- Ministry of Labour: Employment Contract Acceptance
- Ministry of Labour: Employee Resignation Requests
- Ministry of Health: Post-Arrival Medical Fitness Examination
Official public information reviewed on July 24, 2026. Confirm the current requirements in the live government systems before submission.
